Both VPS hosting and dedicated hosting are great options if you are looking for a robust hosting solution. These hosting options offer more control and resources when compared to a shared hosting solution. 

A dedicated hosting plan offers you a dedicated and isolated physical server that is solely designed for you and your unique business requirements. You can customize it the way you like and you have seemingly unlimited access to all the server resources. Since your server is physically isolated from others, you can completely avoid the security issues that normally arise when a server is shared. 

Whereas, with a VPS(Virtual Private Server) hosting plan you get a single physical server that is divided into multiple servers. You will get dedicated resources but these resources are still shared among other users of the server. The difference is that the number of users who share the resources are a lot lesser than in a shared server hosting environment. This gives the users of VPS hosting services more control and better performance than they could get from a shared hosting service. 

Now that you have a basic understanding of dedicated hosting and VPS hosting services, let’s take a deep dive into the differences between the two hosting services. 

VPS hosting and Dedicated hosting – What’s the difference? 

These hosting services are meant to serve those clients who are looking for more resources, space, security, better performance, scalability, more customization options and control. So let’s look at how these features differ in the two hosting solutions. 

Resource Allocation

Resource Allocation in Dedicated Server Hosting Plans 

When you are using the services of a dedicated server hosting plan, you get exclusive access to the physical server as well as its resources. This means that you do not have to share your server resources with any other user. 

Resource Allocation in VPS Hosting Plans 

In VPS hosting plans, the resources are allocated to the users equally. This means that you cannot make use of the entire resources unlike the dedicated server. Each VPS does get its own set of dedicated resources, however, these resources are still shared by the other users. 

Isolation

Isolation in Dedicated Servers 

The physical isolation that is offered in a dedicated server is an unmatched feature in web hosting. Having an entire physical server all for yourself gives you better performance, higher security and an overall enhanced hosting experience. This feature is most essential if you are running a significantly large business. However, this feature is what makes dedicated hosting more expensive than other hosting plans. 

Isolation in VPS 

In VPS hosting, a single server is virtually divided into multiple dedicated servers. Meaning that the isolation is only virtual and not physical. While it does provide more physical isolation than a shared hosting plan, it does not come up to the isolation provided by dedicated servers. However, the isolation provided in a VPS hosting service is plenty for small- medium scale businesses. If you are not yet ready to commit to an entire physical server or do not have the required budget for it, then you can opt for VPS hosting. 

Performance

Performance in Dedicated Servers 

The performance provided by dedicated servers are of the highest levels and completely unmatched. This level of performance is achieved because of the dedicated resources, physical isolation and high security. Dedicated servers are incredibly reliable and stable. You will have a smooth performing website even if it experiences unexpected traffic spikes. 

Performance in VPS 

The performance of VPS hosting services are significantly better than that of a shared hosting service. It is sufficient for small to medium scale businesses. There are chances that your performance might be affected by the other users of the server. Even though the servers are fairly reliable and stable, there can be issues during heavy traffic. 

Customization and Control 

Customization and Control in Dedicated Servers 

In dedicated server hosting, you have complete control over all the resources of the server. You can also customize the server by choosing the type of operating system that is best suited for your business goals. Similarly, you can install, configure and customize any type of software application that you need. Dedicated hosting allows you to have advanced security configurations and you also have more control over the networking settings. You can also get physical access to the hardware to perform upgrades, replacements and other maintenance tasks directly. 

Customization and Control in VPS hosting

In VPS hosting, the control over server resources is limited because there are other users who are using the same physical server. Even though a VPS operates independently, there can be contention over resources among the users, meaning a VPS user has limited control over server resources. Operating systems can be chosen according to your desire, but these choices may be influenced by the virtualization technology used. You can choose the software you want to install and configure, but because of the shared nature of resources, the performance of these applications can be affected. Unlike dedicated servers, you do not have physical access to physical hardware so the maintenance is usually taken care of by the provider. 

Scalability 

Scalability in dedicated server hosting 

A dedicated server can be scaled up by expanding the capacity of the server to handle more workloads or site traffic. dedicated servers usually need manual intervention and planning because changes need to be made on the physical server as well. If you want to add more RAM, upgrade the CPU or add more storage then you will have to upgrade the hardware components of the server to achieve this. You can also add more dedicated servers to your infrastructure to distribute the workload across different servers. 

Scalability in VPS hosting 

In VPS hosting you have to adjust the resources that are allocated to you in order to accommodate any increase in workload. Usually, you can do this using your control panel or dashboard. You can also contact your hosting provider. VPS hosting offers a more flexible scalability option compared to dedicated servers because of its virtualized nature. You can upgrade your resources or you can also level up your VPS hosting plan to handle the increased workload efficiently. You can also use containerization platforms like Docker and orchestration tools like Kubernetes, to  deploy and manage applications in containers. Cloud platforms can be used for a more flexible scalability. 

Security 

Security in Dedicated Hosting 

Having complete control over your server also means that you will have a significant amount of responsibility on your side when it comes to security. Regular security updates are required to ensure that your server is always secure from any vulnerabilities. You may also set up and configure a firewall that will give you control over incoming and outgoing network traffic. Monitor your server regularly to keep a check on any suspicious activity. Antivirus and anti-malware software are needed to scan files and applications for potential threats. You have to be mindful and have strict control over user access to your server. 

Security in VPS hosting 

In VPS hosting too, you will have to make sure that your security software is up to date. You can also configure a firewall, monitor user access and install antivirus and anti-malware software. Regular backups and security checks are also essential to maintaining a secure hosting environment. In VPS hosting, the responsibility of security is shared between you and the provider. The hosting provider will be responsible for maintaining and ensuring the security of the physical infrastructure. 

Cost 

Cost of Dedicated hosting 

The cost of dedicated hosting is generally higher than other hosting options. This is mainly because of the exclusive access a user gets to the physical server resources and higher levels of control and customization. The cost of dedicated hosting would also depend on the type of hardware used. Regular software and hardware maintenance add to the expenses too. Similarly, the maintenance of the data center infrastructure adds to the cost. The exclusive services that come with dedicated hosting also make it more expensive than other types of hosting. 

Cost of VPS hosting 

While VPS hosting may be more expensive than shared hosting, it is more affordable than dedicated hosting. This is mainly because the resources of the server are shared among the users. Therefore, the cost of hosting is basically being “shared” among the users as well. Also, the virtualization technology helps in maximizing the resource utilization. The overall infrastructure cost is lower for VPS hosting, making it more affordable than dedicated hosting solutions. It does not cost as much to maintain a VPS as it does to maintain a dedicated server. These factors make VPS hosting more affordable than dedicated hosting. 

Wrap Up 

Dedicated hosting and VPS hosting are both great options for web hosting compared to shared hosting. However, there are some key differences that you should consider before deciding between these two hosting services. 

There are differences in the amount of resources allocated and its exclusivity. Similarly, you should consider the level of isolation provided in each of the hosting types. There are significant differences in performance levels offered by dedicated hosting and VPS hosting. 

Customization levels and control over the server also differ. The flexibility of scaling up or down should also be considered when choosing between the two hosting options. Security is a highly important factor when deciding any hosting service, so you should give this factor more consideration before making a choice. 

Lastly, your hosting budget plays a key role in determining which hosting type you can go for. 

Consider these different factors before deciding to go for dedicated hosting or VPS hosting.